Method of and apparatus for measuring electrical quantities



June 13, 1933. T EL I 1,914,108

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ELECTRICAL QUANTITIES Filed March 12,. 1931 49 H73 64 5 g} if Impedance E Nefn ari i wen w Patented June 13, 1933 urran STATES LOUIS B. BUTTERFHBLD, OF HILLSIDE, NEW

COMTANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PATENT OFFICE JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO WESTERN ELECTRIC Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRICAL QUANTITIES Application flied March 12, 1931. Serial No. 521,963;

An object of this invention to provide a simple and efficient method of and apparatus for measuring the current through and the potential across a component element of an electrical circuit network.

In accordance with this object, one embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus for measuring the current through and the potential across any component branch orelement of an electrical circuit network in or to which element or branch circuit a potential indicating'or measuring device cannot be directly connected for electrical reasons such as the disturbing effect produced by the impedance of the indi catin or measuring device on the current throng a potential across the element or branch or on theimpedance oitlre element or branch. Inthe preferred embodiment a main electrical network is provided with a component arm, and an auxiliary electrical network having characteristics similar to the main network is connected in/tlie supply circuit for the main 3 network. The auxiliary network includes a -measuring instrument which, when the apparatus is-in operation, indicates the electrical characteristics of the current flowing through or the potential across the component branch of the main network,

" The invention is th electrical testing- PP mg apparatus such as aratus for test tance and'efiective resistance of transformers,

9 inductance coils and other coil wound elements." The apparatus for testing such elements usually includes'a network comprising a tesglfi arm in which the element is conne for the purpose of determining itspfiective inductance and efiective branch or particularly applicable he efiective' inducbridge circuit,

resistance. In order to determine these characteristics of the element, it is necessary to determine accurately the current flowing through the element or the voltage across the element, or both, and the present invention is designed to facilitate the determination of these quantities without the necessity "of connecting a measuring device in or across the component branch.

' A clear understanding of, the invention will be had from the .following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein K Fig. 1 is a diagram of an apparatusembod'ying the invention and designed to measure 50 the current in the testing arm of the network Fig. 2 is a diagram of an apparatus embodylng the" invention and designed to measure the voltage applied to the testing arm of the network; i Fig. 3 is a diagram of a general scheme for measuring the current in any componentbranch of any electrical network in accordance with the present invention, and

Fig. 4 is a diagram of'a general scheme for measuring the voltage applied to any component branch of any electrical network.

Referring now to the drawing, the main network shown in Fig. 1 may be in the form of a bridge circuit which comprises arms 1, 2,? and 42 and a detector, such as a telephone receiver 5, electrically connected across the bridge circuit to terminals which connectthe arms 1 and 2.and the arms 3 and 4.

In the arm 1 is disposed a fixed resistance 6 which, for purposes of illustration, will be assumed to be of 1009 ohms. A .1 microfarad condenser 7 is connected in the arm 3. The arm'2,wh ich is the testing arm of the has an adjustable resistance 8 and terminals 9. to which the element 10 to V be tested may be electrically connected. Arm 4 includes an adjustable condenser 11 and an adjustable resistanm 12, a ground 13 for so the bridge circuit wherein the arms 1 and.

2 are in parallel with the arms 3 and a; therefore, the law governing the division of the bridge current between the arms 1 and 3 when there is no current flowing in the telephone receiver 5 is that which would govcm the division of current between the-resistance 6 and the capacitance or condenser 7 if resistance 6 and condenser 7 were connected in parallel short circuiting telephone receiver 5. s ment 10 is a soft iron core having a coil winding applied thereto, the frgaction of the total current through the bridge which determines the magnetizing force on the core flows through the arm 2 on the resistance side of the bridge circuit. In making the test, the resistances 8 and 12 and the condenser 11 are adjusted until the sides of the bridge which include respectively the arms 1 and 2 and the arms 3 and 4 are balanced, asrindicated by the silence in the telephone. receiver 5.

1n determining the current flow through the element being tested, one of a pair of circuits 15 and 16 is disposed in series with the generator circuit, the circuit 15' including a 400 ohm resistance 17, a 600, ohm re sistance 18, and a switch arm 20. A thermocouple 19 has its hot junction 21 positioned in contact with the resistance 18, and includes a milliammeter 22 calibrated to register from zero to 2 milliamperes, and also from zero to 5 milliamperes. The circuit 16 includes the thermocouple resistance 18, together with the switch arm 20, a 400 ohm resistance 23 and a 360'ohln resistance 24. Con- V nected across the circuits 15 and 16 is a shunt circuit which includes a .1 microfarad condenser 26 which, together with either of the circuits 15 or 16, constitutes an auxiliary network equivalent to the upper half of the main network; that is, to the arm 1 with the resistance 6 and the arm 3 with the condenser 7.

In testing the element 10, let it be assumed that the resistances 8 and 12, together with the condenser 11, have been adjusted to cause no current to flow in the telephone receiver 5, and that the switch arm-20 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, completing the circuit 15. The current flow through the arms 2 and 4, respectively, will then-be the same as the current flow through the arms 1 and 3, respectively. The parallel circuits 15 and 25 are equivalent to the parallel arms 1 and 3 in the bridge circuit, in that the condenser 26 is equivalent tothe condenser 7, and the resistances 17 and 18 are equivalent to the resistance 6; therefore the current flow through the arms 1 and 3 will be the same suming that the ele-v neraioe as that through the arms 2 and 1 including the element 10, and the current passing through the element '10 will be e nail to that passing through the resistances 1' and 18 of the circuit 15. Tlije.,-current flowing ithrough the resistance 18 will heat the hot Fjunction 21 of the thermocouple 19, causeaflow of current through the thermocouple circuit which is proportibiialto the currentfiow through the resistance ,18, and actuate the milliammeter 22, thus measuring the current through theelement lt) which is under test. The circuit 15 is used when the current through the thermocouple 19 does not exceed 2'milliamperes, and if it isdesired 'to measure higher values of current; the switch arm 26 is moved to break the circuit 15 and close the circuit 16; In measuring the current through the element 10 when the circuit 16 is closed, the current flow through the condenser 26 will be the same as that through the arm 4, and the current flow through the circuit 16 will be the same as the current flow through the arm 2, which includes the element 10. The current flowing through the circuit 16 will be divided betweenthe'resistances 23 and 18, thus allowing a, smaller amount of 1 current to flow through the resistance 18 to afiect the reading on the milliarnmeter 21. For the purpose bf illustrating the fact that the circuits 15, 16 and 25 are subjected to the same frequencgariations as the testin arm 2, let the arm 1 termed as 13, arm 3 as the resistances in the circuit 15 with the thermocouple unit as R and the condenser 26 for the thermocouple unit as (O the relation between the elements is then expressed by the following equation where 10 27:- times the frequency of the alternating current.

i l 1 1 R 1'0 1 Solving A BTU 03 And I 37 is disposed in the of the potential across flowing through the circuit 16, theeifective resistance-of the circuit 16 is:

400 x 600 400 600 360 ohms (400+ to flow through the circuit 16 instead of the circuit 15, there is i of the total amount of current passing through the resistance 18 of the thermocouple unit that would pass through this resistance if the circuit 15 were employed instead of the circuit 16, thus permitting a current up to 5 milliamperes to be read on the 5 milliampere scale of the milliammeter 21.

The circuits 15 and 16, which may be termed meter circuits, constitute an electrical network constructed similarly to the main bridge network, whereby the current passing through the element 10 may be measured by a meter disposed outside the main bridge circuit.

In testing the potential across an electrical network, a bridge circuit is employed, hav-' ing arms 31, 32, 33 Land 34, and a detector such as the telephone receiver 35 connected across the circuit at the juncture of the arms 31 and 34 and the arms 32 and 33. A 1000 .ohm fixed resistance 36 is disposed in the arm 31 and a 1 microfarad fixed condenser arm 33. The arm 32, arm of the bridge cirle resistance 38 and terwhich is the testin cuit, has an adjusta minals 39 therein, ed to receive an tested. I

The arm 34 has disposed therein an adjustable condenser 41 and an adjustable resistance 42, a ground 43 for the bridge circuit being connected electrically at the juncture of arms 32 and 34.

Alternating current element 40 which 1s to be from a generator is supplied to the bridge circuit wherein the "arms 31 and .32, and

a so the arms'33 and 34, law governing the ratio the. arm 32 to the total potential across the bridge at balance; that is, when the resistances 38 and 42 and the condenser 41 have been adjusted to cause no current, to flow in' telephone receiver 35 is the same as the law governing the ratio of the tential across t e resistance 36 to the tota potential across the resistance 36 and the capacitance or condenser 37 in series. It is therefore possible to connect a capacitance are in parallel. The

the terminals being adaptof proper value in series with a meter-circuit, which is connected across the generator cirf' cuit, so that a voltmeter dlsposed in the meter circuit will read directly the voltage or po-' tential across the arm 32 of the bridge'circult.

The values of the capacitance and resistances in the meter circuit the same equations used in calculating the -values for corresponding capacitance and resistances of the device are determined by shown in Fig. 1. 27?

The meter circuit consists of-a 950-0hm re.

sistance 45, a switch arm 46, a thermocouple resistance 47 of 600 ohms, a .4 microfarad condenser 48, and a 950 ohm resistance 49.

.A thermocouple 50 has its hot junction positioned in contact with the resistance 47 and is electrically connected to' a voltmeter 51 calibrated to read from zero to 5 volts when the meter circuit is used and from zero to 15 volts when the meter circuit is shunted,

In shunting the meter circuit, the switch arm 46 is moved away from the contact point 52 and into engagement with the contact point 53, providing a circuit through the resistance 45, a 400 ohm resistance 54, through the switch arm 46, a 300 ohm resistance 55, proportionally dividing the potential through the thermocouple resistance 47 and the resistance 55, and completing the circuit through the condenser 48 and the resistance 49. With this electrical network connected across the generator cir cuit, which supplies energy to the bridge circuit, the potential across the testing arm 32 of the bridge circuit, which includes the element 40 under test, will be indicated by the voltmeter 51. i

The conditions under which each element is tested are the same as the conditions which obtain in service, and the magnetizing force applied to the core of the element under test depends upon the. ampere-turns of the wind ing. Since the number of turns is approxiany particular. specimen, promat ely fixed in to control the current through vision is made or the potential across the element under test. In the case oflow impedancewindings, the current through the winding is measured and controlled rather than the voltage across the winding, as the current magnitudes are such as to be more readily measurable than the voltage. In the case of large impedance windings, the reverse condition is true since the voltage is the more readily measurable quantity. Therefore, to facilitate measure ment of the current through or voltage across the element under test, circuits are employed. 7

In Figs. 1 and 2 specific t networks such as the Owen and have been described. Fig. 3 illustrates an arran 'ement of circuits for measuring the current t rough an element of any electricalv network and consists of an electrical network 60 connected to a source of current such, as a two difierent brid'ge pes of electrical ridge are shown able the potential or voltage across element generator 61. The element 62 is a component arm of the network 60, the current flowing through which arm is to be measured. Connected in series with the generator 61 and the output circuit thereof is an electrical. network which may he termed a meter circuit 63 designed to give the required frequency characteristic for a current indicating device 64. The electrical networks 60 and 63 ma consist of any number or combination of sel inductances, mutual inductances, resistances or capacitances for measuring the flow of current through the element 62 by a meter disposed outside of the electrical network 60.

Fig. 4 illustrates an arrangement of electrical networks and circuits for measuring the potential across an element under test and consists of an electrical network 65 having resistances, self inductances, mutual inductances, capacitances, or any combination thereof. The element66 is a component arm of the network 65, across which arm the potential is to be measured. Electrical energy from a generator 67 is supplied to the electrical network 65. Electrically connected across the generator circuit is an electrical network 68 designed to give the required frequeny characteristic to a potential indicating device such as a voltmeter 69, which will en- 66rto be read from the indication or voltmeter 69.

It will he understood that the resistances, capacitances, and other electrical values specified in the above description are illustrative only, and that the invention may be modified in various ways within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of measuring the flow oilcurrent through an electrical element connected in a component arm of t bridge having a resistance and a capacitance, which comprises transmitting an alternating current through the bridge circuit, and another circuit havin a resistance and a capacitance, and measuring the current through last mentioned resistance. I 2. A method of measuring the. flow of current through an electrical element connected in arcomponent arm of a bridge having a resistance and a capacitance, which comprises transmitting an alternating current through the series connection of the bridge circuit, and another circuit having a resistance and capacitance in parallel, and measuring the current through the lastmentioned resistance. 3. A mhthod of measuring potential across an electrical element connected in a componentfarm of a bridge, which comprises applying an alternating potential across the bridge circuit and across a second circuit having a resistance and capacitance in series,

and measuring the potential across the resistance.

d. A method of measuring the, potential across an electrical element connected in a component arm of a bridge having a resistance and a capacitance, which comprises ap plying an alternating potential to the bridge circuit and to a second circuit having a resistance and a' capacitance, and measuring the potential across the last mentioned resistany given frequency connected to saidsu ply circuit for measuring the current throug an element of said main circuit.

6. In an apparatus for measuring the flow of current through an electrical circuit, a

main electrical circuit, a supply circuit for said main circuit, an auxiliary electrical circuit disposed in series with said su plycircuit, said auxiliary circuit comprising res stance and capacitance connected in parallel with each other, and meansassociated with said auxiliary circuit for'measuring the flow of current through said main circuit.

7. In an apparatus-for measuring the flow.

of current through an element or component branch of an electrical network, a supply circuit'for said electrical network, an electrical measuring network disposed in. series with said supply circuit theimpedance of which is proportional to the impedance of said first mentioned network at any given frequency for measuring the flow of current through sa d element or branch.

8. In an apparatus for testing the electrical characteristics of an element, an electrical network having resistance and capacitance and arran ed to include the element, a supply circuit %or said electrical network, and a second electrical network the impedance of which is proportional to the impedance of said first mentioned network at any given frequency associated with said sup 1y circuit for indicating the electrical conditlon imposed'upon said element.

9. In an apparatus for measuring potential across an element in a component arm of an impedance bridge circuit, a supply' circuit for the bridge circuit, and an electrical'net work, the impedance of which is proportional bridge circuit.

10. In an apparatus for testing the electrical characteristics of an element, an electrical network having resistance and capacitance and arranged to include the element, asupply circuit for said electrical network, and a second electrical network, the impedance of which is proportional to the impedance of said first mentioned network at any given frequency disposed in parallel with said supply circuit for indicating the potential across said first electrical network.

11. In an apparatus for measuring the flow of current through an element connected in a branch of an electrical network, a main electrical network in one branch of which the element through which the current to be measured is connected, a'supply circuit for said main circuit, an auxiliary network connected in series with the supply circuit and the main electrical network, a current measuring device in said auxiliary network, said auxiliary network having its impedances proportional to and arranged in the same manner as the corresponding impedances in the main circuit so that the current through the branch of the auxiliary network in which the current measuring device is connected is proportional to the current which is to be measured in the element in the branch of the main circuit at all frequencies or intensities of current. I

12. In an apparatus for measuring the flow of current through an element connectedin a branch of an electrical network, a main electrical network in one branch of which the elementthrough which the current to be measured is connected, a supply circuit for said main circuit, an auxiliary network connected in series with the supply circuit and the main electrical network, a current measuring device in said auxiliary network, said auxiliary network having its impedances arranged to be electrically equivalent to a circuit having its impedances proportional to and arranged in the same manner as corresponding impedances in the main circuit, said equivalent circuit arrangements being in accordance with any of the several well known theorems of equivalent circuits, through the branch of the auxiliary network in which the current measuring device is connected is proportional to the current which is to be measured in the element in the branch of the main circuit at all frequencies or intensities of current;

13-. In an apparatus for measuring the voltage across an element connected in a branch of an electrical network, a main electrical network in one branch of which the element across which the voltage to be measured is connected, a supply circuit for said main circuit, an auxiliary network connnected in shunt with the main electrical network,a voltage measuring device insaid auxiliary network, said auxiliary network having its impedances proportional to and arranged in the same manner as the corresponding impedances in themain circuit so that the voltage across the branch of the auxiliary network in which the voltage measuring device is connected is proportional to the voltage which is to be measured across the element in the branch of the main circuit at all frequencies or intensities of voltage.

14. In an apparatus for measuring the voltage across an element connected in a branch of an electrical network, a main electrical network in one branch of which the element across which the voltage to be meas ured is connected, a supply circuit for said main circuit, an auxiliary network connected in shunt with. the main electrical network, a voltage measuring device in said auxiliary network, said auxiliary network having its impedances arranged to be electrically equivalent to a circuit having its impedances proportional to and arranged in the same manner as corresponding impedances in the main circuit, said equivalent circuit arrangements being in accordance with any of the several well known theorems of equivalent circuits, so that the voltage across the branch of the auxiliary network in which the voltage measuring device is connected is proportional to the'voltage which is to be measured across the element in the branch of the main circuit at all frequencies or intensities of voltage.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 26th day of February, 1931.

LOUIS B. BUTTERFIELD.

so that the current 

